For businesses looking to boost their Instagram marketing efforts, video ads can be an extremely effective tool if done correctly.
With Instagram video ad specs, you can create and upload videos that your followers can view directly in their feeds. These videos are up to one minute long, inclusive of photos and 15-second motion graphics, featuring text, links, and calls to action.
Since your video will play on people’s phones when they’re scrolling through their feed, it needs to be short enough to retain viewers’ attention yet long enough to provide the kind of information they’re looking for or tell them what they want to know.
If you’re looking to start using Instagram video ads but aren’t sure where to begin, here are some tips from marketers who are already doing it right.
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Where to Put Your Video Content
First and foremost, Instagram is a mobile platform. You’ll want to make sure that you’re placing your video content in Instagram Stories, which are temporary photo or video collections that disappear after 24 hours.
These are a great place to test content because they have over 700 million daily active users. The Stories feature has become increasingly important because it allows businesses to post photos and videos with a caption before they disappear in just a few days.
The Right Length for Your Video
Before getting started with Instagram video marketing, know that your video should be less than a minute in length. The platform recommends you post videos that are 60 seconds or less for a couple reasons—not only will your video fit within Instagram’s time parameters, but it also reduces the chances that viewers will swipe away before finishing your message.
However, if you have a lot of information to share in your video (e.g., an instructional), then longer is fine. The important thing is to ensure that whatever length you choose fits what you’re trying to communicate in your video.
You can use any video for Instagram, whether professionally produced or captured on your phone. As long as you stick to Instagram’s specs and keep things relatively short, you can use any kind of content in your ads.
Instagram Stories Video Specifications
- Length: 20 Seconds (You can clip longer videos into multiple sections)
- Standard Video Size: 30MB
- Standard Video Ratio: 90 x 160 or 191 x 100
- Minimum aspect ratio: 400 x 500
- Minimum video width: 500 pixels.
- Video Ratios: 16:9 to 4:5 and 9:16
Instagram Video specs
- Length: 3 to 60 seconds.
- Minimum video width: 500 pixels.
- Recommended file type: .MP4 or .MOV format.
- Maximum video size 30MB.
- Maximum video frame rate 30fps.
Tips for Making Instagram Videos
For many brands, Instagram is a visual medium that provides an opportunity to share a glimpse into your business through pictures. But, you can go a step further by adding video to your posts. Here are some specs to follow when creating a video for Instagram:
- The sound of your video must be turned on at all times; otherwise, it will not show up in feeds or search results–but make sure it’s still optimized for sound-off users through captions.
- To make in-feed videos more interesting, reply to comments as much as you can; this helps create a sense of connection between you and your followers.
- Creating customer-oriented content shows you understand the needs of your customers.
- Videos must be uploaded from a mobile device. Instagram doesn’t allow users to upload videos from desktop computers or laptops.
- The video should be consistent, interesting and short. These features will help your followers understand and connect better.
- Story stickers are a powerful way to make Instagram stories unique and captivating. Use different stickers to promote your product or service, share with a specific group of people, or ask for feedback. Hashtag stickers, question stickers, or emojis. Slider mention stickers, poll stickers, and location stickers are just some of the many options available!
Remember, since most Instagram users view their feed on their mobile devices, those with longer videos may not get viewed as often.
The summary is to keep it short and focus on what your brand wants to say—not just showing off what you sell. Your goal should be to tell a story or make an emotional connection with viewers. Remember, the shorter, the better!
